Maharaja Hari Singh commemorations held in House of Commons

Community group Voice of Dogras (VOD) has commemorated the 121st birth anniversary ofthe last ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, at the House of Commons in the UK parliament.

VOD is a community group representing the Jammu and Kashmir diaspora in the UK.

Dignitaries and politicians joined the occasion not only to celebrate Maharaja Hari Singh’s legacy and contribution to Jammu & Kashmir but also provide insights into the history of Dogras and their role in assisting the UK in the first and second World Wars. Discussions were held on how the Dogra dynasty was founded, served and held together the extremely diverse state of Jammu and Kashmir. Presentations were made by members of the Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir (POJK) community. This is the first time that the views of the POJK community on the Dogra Rule, Jammu Kashmir and the reasons for their affection towards Maharaja Hari Singh came forward on an international platform.Bob Blackman, Conservative MP for Harrow East and the special guest for the evening said: “We are delighted to host an event that honours the memory of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of Jammu & Kashmir. A great reformer and a great leader of his people. We honour his memory and his family. We look forward to the whole Jammu and Kashmir being reunited as the crowning glory of India.“The event also put forth the much neglected perspective of POJK (Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir) diaspora for the first time in the UK. A major part of the Jammu and Kashmir territory has been occupied by Pakistan and China, which has had a negative impact on the residents of POJK and their voice, has been often unheard and even ignored.”Providing an overview of the situation, writer, activistand a Mirpuri from POJK, Sameena Raja, said: “There is a misconception or an intentional manipulation of history to claim that he couldn’t defend his homeland against a few tribals from Pakistan in 1947 and acceded to India to save himself. In fact, Maharajah Hari Singh only acceded to India to stop further slaughtering of innocent civilians at the hands of Pakistani armed forces and invading tribals. Had he not taken the timely step to accede to India (conditionally though), not a single non-muslim would have been alive in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.”Maharaja Hari Singh’s legacy left a mark on both the history of the Indian subcontinent and the world. A true visionary, he stood for India’s independence during the Round Table Conference of 1931 and was the first ruler of a princely state to speak of ‘Mother India.’

He played a crucial role in providing both monetary and military support to the British forces in both WW1 and WW2. His reforms within the state of Jammu and Kashmir are still celebrated as a triumph of administrative prowess. Following the India’s independence and the events of 1947, it was Maharaja Hari Singh who signed the ‘Instrument of Accession,’ making Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India.Acknowledging the importance of such a commemorative event, Yuvraj Vikramaditya Singh, leader of Peoples Democratic Party and grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh said: “The fact that the Dogras rulers successfully administered and held together people of such diverse culture, region and beliefs for 100 years (1846 to 1947) needs to be acknowledged and appreciated.

“As the grandson of the man who on his coronation day proclaimed, ‘Justice is my religion and all religions are mine’, I have always strived to keep these values alive. Maharaja Hari Singh has become an inspiration for thousands of people in the Jammu Province who are looking to regain lost pride and identity. It is my endeavour and I consider it my duty, not to get lost in an era gone by, but to use his values and symbols as inspiration to take our state forward.”The event saw presentations by Dr Shabir Chowdhury from POJK who is also the Chairman Institute of Kashmir Affairs, writer TV anchor and author. Faria Atique, from POJK and In Charge of Human Rights, UKPNP shared a personal account of the Maharaja’s times pre 1947.

Manu Khajuria, Voice of Dogras founder, community activist and freelance writer presented a paper on ‘Maharaja Hari Singh – More than a Hindu King who ruled over a Muslim majority State’. Lakshmi Kaul, KP Community Leader also spoke on the occasion.